MASTER GARDENERS HOST FREE PROGRAM
Join Lake County Master Gardeners from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday for “Made in the (Midwestern) Shade Garden” with Peter Sheardy at Purdue Extension-Lake County, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Sheardy will discuss how to turn low-light areas into lush, inviting spaces. Learn which plants thrive in shade, how to work with different light conditions, and simple design ideas to add texture, color and interest. The program is free and open to the public. Register at lakecountymastergardeners.org/education.
FRANCISCAN HEALTH HOLDS FREE SUPER SITTER CLASS
Franciscan Health will offer three free Super Sitter classes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 21 and Oct. 15 at Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Homer Street Campus, 301 W. Homer St. Attendees only need to attend one session, and are encouraged to bring a sack lunch as food is not provided. Topics covered include basic childcare skills, first aid and safety procedures, starting a babysitting business, and infant and child CPR (basic skills, no certification), as well as appropriate educational play and toys. The classes are free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register at franciscanhealthcare.formstack.com/forms/mc_super_sitter.
LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY RECOGNIZES YOUNG READERS
The Lake County Public Library Foundation recognized first-place winners of the annual Read-a-Thon on May 20 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. The first-place recipients include: Giann Rispoli; Aviana Turnbull; Chandlar McCullough; Hunter Mattox; Brady Zoladz; Levi Robinson; Liam Kosinski; Reuel Mubibya; Ava Stevens; and Aveline Pelletier. Each year, the Foundation encourages schools in Gary, Merrillville, Cedar Lake, Dyer, Schererville, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, Munster, New Chicago and St. John to promote reading. Read-a-Thon participants seek sponsors, then read as many books as possible during the six-week contest. Schools receive one-third of the funds collected by the students to use for their libraries. This year, 978 students participated and more than $30,000 was given to the schools. Trophies were awarded to all students who raised money, and gift cards from Target were given to students in first through eighth place.
LAKESHORE PUBLIC MEDIA HOSTS SCREENING, DISCUSSION
Lakeshore Public Media will host its second community screening and discussion event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 in Meeting Room A at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st. St. The event, titled “The American Revolution: The Spirit of Service | Screening and Discussion,” will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Attendees will view excerpts from the 12-part PBS documentary series “The American Revolution,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns along with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, followed by a panel discussion designed to encourage civic dialogue and historical reflection. The 30 min screener will focus on “The Spirit of Service,” exploring service as a core American value, from the nation’s founding through to the present day. The panel will further explore this topic with plans for a public Q&A to close the program. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. For more information and to register, visit LakeshorePublicMedia.org/AmericanRevolution.
FRANCISCAN HEALTH, PARTNERS HOLD FREE BABY SHOWER
Franciscan Health is teaming up with community partners to provide a free community baby shower for expectant mothers. The Tea and Tiny Kicks Community Baby Shower will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 27 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. Fifth Ave., Gary. The event will feature free educational sessions, gifts, community resources and information on the free Count the Kicks app, which assists pregnant women in monitoring their baby’s movements to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. All expectant mothers who register and participate will receive a free Cribette and Safe Sleep Kit. The event is free for expectant mothers and one guest, but registration is required and space is limited. Register at franciscanhealthcare.formstack.com/forms/tea_and_tiny_kick_community_baby_shower_expectant_moms_.
